Load measuring system



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RATIO ARM "` L `Tom. I oAn 'V I INDICATION IMMR/f BY MMO Mdm/V5 c/ZZ@ Patented Feb. 28, 1950 LOAD MEASURING SYSTEM Frank R. Eldridge, Jr., Springfield, Vt., assignor to Jones & Lamson Machine Company, Springfield, Vt., a corporation of Vermont Application August 2, 1947, Serial No. 765,735

9 Claims. (Cl. 73-1313) The present invention relates to a load measuring system for turning, boring and cutting elements of machine tools and the like. More particularly the invention relates to a load measuring system of the type referred to, which may be controlled and operated electrically, and has for its primary object to provide an improved method and means for deriving and translating electrical l to variations in one or more predetermined `components of the load selectively or simultaneously, with respect to a common timing axis of reference.

While the invention is adapted for use in connection with machine tools for turning, boring, and cutting operations and particularly for load measurements on lathe tools, it is adapted for other uses where the mechanical loading of a stress tending to elongate, compress or otherwise deform the resistance element. For the purpose of describing the present invention, and as a preferred device for use in a system embodying lthe invention, variable resistance electrical strain gages will -be referred to hereinafter, although other forms of variable impedance means may be employed in connection with a system embodying the invention.

In accordance with the invention, a pair of electrical strain gages for each load or load component to be measured is located with the strain gages in spaced relation to and on opposite sides of a plane normal to the axis of the load or load component to be measured, whereby the gages are placed in tension and compression inversely by load variations, thereby to provide an impedance or resistance change in magnitude of electrical current or signal energy to indicating,

measuring or recording means in push-pull relation, thereby to magnify the control eiect upon structural element may be resolved into one or more components in predetermined planes.

It is also a further object of the invention, to provide an improved electrical load measuring system which may readily be applied to an operating element of a machine or mechanism which is subject to a variable mechanical load without interfering with the operation or use thereof, and which is adapted for remote control and indication of the rload? and selected components thereof.

In carrying out the invention, use is made of variable impedance or resistance elements which may be secured to the various surfaces of machine elements on which the load or stress is to be derived, for providing circuit controlling impedance variations responsive to variations in the load or stress. Y

A present preferred variable impedance or resistance device of the type above referred to is the well known electrical strain gage. As is known and well understood, such devices may be in the form of elongated at strips of ilexible insulating material adapted to be cemented or y otherwise secured to structural surfaces, and enclosing resistance elements highly responsive in the system and the resultant measurement indication or record.

It is, therefore, a still further object of this invention to provide an improved electrically operated load measuring system having a balanced bridge control circuit for each load or load component to be measured, in which a pair of inversely variable resistance or impedance devices of the strain gage type, for example, are connected and operated in push-pull relation for imparting to each control circuit a magnified indication of said variable load or load component, together with means for translating the resultant inverse impedance or resistance variations into electrical voltages, currents or signal energy correspondingly varying in amplitude and sense for resistance variation to variations in mechanical 66 recording with respect to a uniform time variation axis, whereby the nature and magnitude of the load or load components may be determined.

It is also a further object of the invention to provide an electrical load measuring system which may readily be calibrated and which may be adjusted for response to a predetermined load or load component to effect a change in an operating condition of a machine to which it is applied. For example, in connection with the cutting tool of a lathe, anv electrical system embodying the invention may separately, or in conjunction with its measurement function, cause the lathe to stop or may cause tbe feeding operation of the tool to stop when the cutting edge thereof becomes dulled to the point of ineffective operativeness. It may thus function as an automatic safety stop for machine tools when the load on any varlably loaded element with which it is connected be comes excessive. A

The invention further contemplates the eifective application of strain gage or variable impedance devices to the measurement and control of tool loading inV lathes and other turning and boring equipments, and has for its further object to provide an improved arrangement for mounting Y thereof.

The invention will, however, be better understood from the following description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. 1

In the Figxne 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a load measuring systemA embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is 'a view in perspective, on a greatly reduced scale, oi a portion of a lathezrepresenting any machine tool or the like, showing a portion of the apparatus of Figure 1 applied thereto in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 is a view in perspective, of a tool and tool holder of the load measuring arrangement of Figure 2, on an enlarged scale, showing certain constructional details thereof in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 is a view in elevation, of the tool holding and measuring elements of Figure 2, on the samescale, and partly in cross section, showing further constructionai details and a principle of operation thereof in accordance with the invention;4

Figin'es 5 and 6 are fragmentary side and top views respectively, of the tool and tool holding elements of Figure 4 on the same scale, further illustrating a principle of operation thereof;

Figure 'l is a view in perspective, of the remainder of the system of Figure 1, showing theY mechanical and electrical arrangement of certain translating and indicating apparatus adapted for connection with the components and circuit elements of Figure 2 in accordance with the invention;

Figure 8 is a view, partly in erom section and substantially full sine, of certain circuit com- Figui?! 12 is a schematic circuit/diagram ofa adapted for connection with the system of Figure 1; and

Figure 13 is a view partly in cross section and substantially full size, of a modiiication of the controlling means of Figure 8, arranged in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a pair of variable resistance elements I5 and I8, representing a pair of electrical strain gages for example, are arranged to be varied inversely in response to variations in a predetermined force, stress or load component A, presently as indicated by the dotted connection with the arrows shown in connection with' each resistor, and hereinafter shown and described.

In accordance with the invention, the resistors I5 and I8 are operated in pairs in connection with any mechanical element on which the load ponents and controlling means therefor, as shown or stress is to be measured, and are so spaced in connection with said-element in a plane normal to the load or load component that one is placed in compression while the other is placed in tension and vice versa, thereby being inversely varied in resistance.

The inverse resistance Avariation provides a push-pull control action which magnies the resistance variation and serves to vary the balance of a bridge circuit I 'l in which the resistors I5 and Ii are connected through extension leads I3, I8, and 2l, which may suitably be enclosed in a cable represented at 2l having a plug connection with the remainder of the circuit as indicated at 22.

'Ihe bridge circuit I'I further includes a second pair oi inversely variable resistors 23 and 24 serially connected between extensions 25 and 26 respectively of the leads I8 and 20. Likewise, the resistors I5 and I6 are serially connected between the leads I8 and 20, and the junctions 21 between the resistors I5 and I6, and 28 between the resistors 23 and 24, are interconnected through the lead I9,. an extension 29 thereof, and the primary 30 of a coupling transformer 3|.

'I'he resistors I5 and I6 provide two controlling ratio arms for the bridge while the resistors 23 and 24 provide two balancing ratio arms, and

the opposite junctions 21 and 28 of the ratio 4 vmay be, for example, a 1000 cycle tuning fork oscillator, in turn energized from suitable power supply leads 34 through an operating switch 35. The energy from the oscillator through an output connection 36 may be amplified by a suitable low frequency ampliiier indicated at 31 hav-I ing an output connection with the leads 32.

With suitable modiilcations in the ampiier circuit, the strain gage bridge may be supplied with a D. C. voltage; 1000 cycle frequency is used inthe embodiment of the invention shown because it does not entail the use of an ampliier subject to drift such as a D. C. type. Furthermore, this carrier frequency is far enough reaieaesi 'y `inoved from 60 cycle hum so ythat the latter may be removed effectively by filtering.

The balancing resistors 23 and 24 may be similar strain gages or oi' similar construction 'to the elements I5 and I6, andfmay. be'arranged vfor inverse resistance variation as indicated by ingly the system of Figure 1 provides a plurality of control channels or circuits'similar to that just l described which arearranged for receiving oper"- the arrows vand the dotted connection with a micrometer adjusting device represented at 38.l In this manner the bridge may be balanced so that the iiow of energy from the supply leads 32 or the oscillator source 33, to the opposite junctions of the ratio arms at 21 and 28, is substantially zero. The impedance of the bridge may further be balanced by a suitable variable capacitor 39 connected in parallel with one of applied to the primary of the transformer 30, to

which is coupled a secondary winding 42 for stepping up the impedance ratio from the bridge circuit I1 and applying the-amplified output signal to suitable amplifying and indicating apparatus.

In the present example, the secondary is connected through the lead 26 to a common ground lead 43 for the system, and through an output lead 44 with a suitable variable gain amplifier 45 having an adjustable gain controlling element 46. The amplifier is connected with the lead 26 and the common ground lead 43 as indicated, and is provided with a high potential signal output lead 41 which is connected through a iilter 48 and an output signal supply lead 49 with any suitable electrical indicating or recording means represented by the horizontal deflection plate connection 50 of a cathode ray tube or oscilloscope 5I. The circuit connection to the oscilloscope is completed through the opposite terminal for the horizontal deilection plates indicated at 52 and the ground lead 43.

Any suitable indicating or -recording device may be connected between the control or measplifier 45 serves to raise the output signal amplitude from the bridge control circuit to a level suitable for operating the device 5I, and the iilter v48, serially connected between the amplier 45 and the indicating device 5I, serves to eliminate all undesired harmonics and spurious oscillations such as 60 cycle oscillations which may be induced in unshielded components of the strain gage bridge and the amplier 45 and which would otherwise affect the accuracy of the indication.

In the present example, a true sine wave signal is desired at the 1000 cycle frequency, without peaks, and accordingly the iilter 48 may be arranged inthe form of a band pass illter for 1000 cycles.

The present invention further contemplates the simultaneous measurement orindication of a plurality of related load stresses or components, with respect to a common time axis, and accorduring circuit output lead 49v and ground. For

ating control from similar variable impedance -or resistance components. In the present system,r two other control channels are shown in connection with a pair of variable resistance devices or strain gages 55 and 56 for a second control channel, and a pair of variable resistance devices or strain gages 51 and 58 for a third control channel.

In the second control channel, the resistance elements 55 and 56 are inversely variable in rey sponse to a load component B and serve to control the balance of a bridge circuit 60 in which there are connected the balancing resistor elements 6I and 62 inversely controllable by micrometer means 63 and the impedance balance of which is further controlled by a variable capacitor 64 having a control dial indicated at 65. The control resistor elements 55 and 56 are connected through the cable 66 and plug connection 61 with the remainder of the bridge circuit and the signal supply leads 32.

'Ihe output of the bridge circuit 68 is taken through the coupling ltransformer 61, variable gain amplifier 68 and 1000 cycle band` pass filter 69 and is applied through output connection lead 10 to one of the horizontal deflection plate terminal 1I of a second cathode ray tube or oscilloscope indicated at 12, representing any suitable indicating or recording device for this channel. The opposite terminal 13 for the horizontal deflection plates is connected to the ground lead 43 as indicated. The operation of the second channel is theA same as the first.

As the circuit arrangement and operation of the third control channel is the same as that of the rst and second channels, no further description is believed to be necessary, except to point out that the remote connection to the variable resistance strain gages 51 and 58 is made through a cable connection indicated at 15 and a plug connection 14 to a bridge circuit 16 in which the balancing resistors are shown at 11 and 18 and arranged for inverse variable control by means of a micrometer controlled element indicated at 19. The bridge impedance is further matched by the variable capacitor having a control dial 8|, and the output of the bridge is taken through the transformer 8 2, variable gain amplier 83, 1000 cycle band pass filter 84-and an output connection lead 85 to one of the horizontal plate terminals 86 of a third oscilloscope 81. The opposite horizontal plate terminal 88 is also connected to the ground lead 43 thereby completing the circuit for the third channel. In the third shown which is provided with a motor driven variable speed chuck 9| in which, at one end, is mounted a piece of bar stock or other work to be turned as indicated at 92. The work is supported on a live center 93 mounted in a xed turret 94, and rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow.

'rs A w01 es mounted mwa tool holder se is supported by a rigid clamping block 91 mounted on the cross slide 98 of the lathe, which in turn moves longitudinally of the work 92 on ways 99 to traverse the cut indicated at |00. `The depth of the cut is controlled by the radial movement of the cross slide which may be under the control of a hand wheel or the usual traverse and feed mechanism. The invention is not limited, however, to machine tools of the type shown, and as the construction and operation of the lathe shown is well known and understood, further description of the machine tool per se is not believed to be necessary. I

For turning and boring operations and the like, the invention generally contemplates the use of a rigid support orV clamping block of the type indicated at 91 which is divided longitudinally at the top and chambered to receive and clamp theA 'tool holder 96 rigidly in place so that the tool and tool holder, together with the clamping block, may move as an integral unit with the cross slide 98, the tool 95 being so positioned that its cutting face engages the work 92 substantially radially as shown.

When so engaged with the work, it will be seen that the tool 95 is subjected to stresses or a loading which may be resolved into a plurality of components, the principle ones of which are the tangential, radial and longitudinal loads as indicated more clearly in Figures 4, 5 and 6. In operation, the radial load or stress is substantially lighter than the longitudinal and tangential loads, and the latter is the greatest under normal conditions. However, when the tool is dull or is not properly formed, the longitudinal load increases sharply and may exceed the tangential load. Furthermore, in certain operations both the longitudinal and the radial loads may be substantially zero or may be negative in character depending upon the angle of the top tool face with respect to the work.

Further, in accordance with the invention, the tool holder 96 as shown more clearly in Figures 3 and 4, for example, comprises an elongated cylindrical body or bar |02 recessed at one end to receive the tool body and provided with suitable clamping screws or bolts indicatedat |03 for securing the tool to the tool holder with a high degree of rigidity, whereby all stresses or forces applied to the tool .are fully transmitted to the body of the tool holder.

The tool holder is further provided with a plurality of spaced diaphragms |04, the peripheral edges of which engage the-wall of the cylindrical chamber orrecess in the support or clamping Figure 2 whichdraw the edges of the cut together tending to close the gap.

In the present example, the diaphragms |04 example, 3 diaphragms are engaged, as shown in Figure 4, so that a considerable degree of sensitivity is given to the tool holder and tool at the point of engagement with the work.

The load components, A, B and C as referred to in connection with Figure 1 may be considered as the tangential, radial and longitudinal tool loads or load components respectively. Accordingly, the pairs of strain gages |5|6, 55-56, and '51-58 may be applied to the machine tool arrangement shown, to derive the load measurements in such a manner that they may be translated and indicated as described in connection with the circuit of Figure 1. To this end the strain gages I5 and I8 are secured to the tool holder body at diametrically opposite points in a vertical plane as shown more clearly in Figure 4, while strain gages 51 and 58 are applied to the tool holder body at diametrically opposite points `in a horizontal plane as shown more clearly in Figure 6. With the present overhang, these strain gages are applied between the first and second diaphragms as shown.

With this arrangement, strain gages I5 and I6 are located on opposite sides of a plane normal to the tangential load or load component whereby, as the tangential load increases, strain gageA I8 tends to become elongated while strain gage |5 tends to become compressed, thereby increasing the resistance of strain gage I6' and decreasing the resistance of strain gage I5. Reduction in the load tends to reduce the extent of the deflections above mentioned so that under no load conditions they may resume substantially a normal unstressed condition.

Likewise, as will be seen from' Figure 6, the strain gages 51 and.58 are located on opposite sides of a plane normal to the longitudinal load or load component whereby an increase in the longitudinal load causes strain gage 58 to be extended and strain gage 51 to be compressed thereby, likewise, diiferentially changing their resistance values, resulting in an increase in the resistance of strain gage 58 and a decrease in the resistance of strain gage 51.

Sensitive bonded type wire strain gages have been used successfully to measure the deflections are made integral with the body of. the tool holder 96, and they are of such thickness and depth that a limited radial compliance is provided between the clamp block or support 91 and the tool holder body. The diaphragms normally used are made sufficiently thick to withstand a maximum tool load of the orderof 3 tons in any direction. Under these conditions the deilection of the tool point is only approximately .002 of an inch in the direction of the load; YThe number of diaphragms engaged by the blockdetermines the sensitivity of thev system to variations in tool load and is adjusted by varying the number of diaphragms engaged by the support when mounted in place therein. In the present resulting from the tool loadings indicated. These gages are cemented to the tool holder surface, extending longitudinally of the tool holder as shown, and serve to measure only one of the three loads or load components for each pair or setof gages. The vertical or tangential load on'the tool is indicated by the two gages I5 and I6 placed on the top and the bottom of the cutter bar of tool holder and parallel to its axis as above described. A similar set of gages, 51 and 58, on the sides of the bar measure the feed load or longitudinal load asl referred to in Figure 6.

The radial or shank load indicated in Figure 5 is determined by the deflections of the strain gages 55 and `56 which are mounted on a cantilever beam or bar |08 on opposite faces thereof as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 4. The bar is clamped at its lower end |09 to the mounting block or support 91, and its upper or free end is preloaded to'move in the direction of the rear end of the tool holder with which it is in alignment. The arrangement is such that the rear Vend of the mo1ho1der transmits radial thrust to the free end of the lever through a suitable mechanical connection preferably provided as shown in the present example by a small ball bearing ||0 seated in the center .of the rear'face of the tool holder and engaging la hardened and ground contact surface ||2 provided on the upper or free end of the cantilever bar |08.

From an inspection of Figures 4 and 5, it will be seen that the diaphragm |04 permit a slight axial movement or deflection of the tool holder which is transmitted to the cantilever bar. This, in turn, flexes the latter and causes compression oi' strain gage 55 and elongates strain gage 56 thereby inversely varying the resistance values thereof in the manner hereinbefore referred to.

Itwill be seen that the strain gages 55 and 58 are likewise arranged tolle on opposite sides of a plane passing through the lever |88 which is normal to the direction of the radial load or thrust on the tool. Thus, the control arrangement for the thrust or radial load measuring gages conforms with the operating arrangement provided ln connection with the other pairs of strain gages. The entire assembly is mounted on the cross slide and moves as the tool makes its cut. Each pair of strain gages measures only one component of the tool load and is substantially unresponsive to variations in any of the other load components.

While the strain gages are applied to the surfaces of the cantilever and of the tool holder with cement and water-proofed with neoprene patching compound, a cover ||5 preferably of sheet metal, is provided to further protect the electrical components from contact with the coolant liquids usually used in connection with certain of the cutting operations of the lathe tool. The cover is shaped as shown in cross section to permit the tool to project through a frontal opening I I6 and is generally open at the rear for inspection and to permit wiring connections with the equipment therein. It has been found that precautionary measures are required to prevent the strain gages from becoming dampened, for the reason that a slight moisture content will cause the signal to drift and excessive dampness will cause inaccuracies in the measurement readings.

Referring now to Figure 'I along with the preceding iigures, it will be noted that the three oscilloscopes 81, 12 and 5| maybe mounted for viewing at a convenient level on a suitable cabinet ||8 which is adapted to contain al1 the circuit components of Figure 1 other than those which are shown in Figure 2, and that this equipment may be located remotely from the machine tool and may be connected with the controlling strain gage through extension of the cables 2|, 56 and 15. As indicated in Figures 1,.2 and '1,' these cables'plug into the apparatus as indicated at 22, 61 and 1I respectively.

The cabinet H8 is provided with an enclosure having a panel I I9 on which are mounted the calibrating dials 40, 65 and 8|' for the balancing terial |2| at the rear of the panel, the strip being secured at one end |22, to the panel.

Mounted on opposite sides of the strip at a point intermediate of its ends are the balancing strain gages 23 and 24 which are connected in circuit as shown in Figure 1. As the micrometer head 38 is adjusted, the operating tip yor feeler |20 moves in one direction or the other to vary `the flexing of the lever |2| thereby inversely varying the resistance of the pair of strain gages 23 and 24 to control the balance of the bridge circuits I1 of Figure 1.

The other bridge circuits are balanced by a similar arrangement of the other corresponding elements therein, the adjustments being facilitated by the mounting arrangement shown in Figure '1. The oscillating generator and low frequency amplier equipment is also disposed in the stand ||8 as indicated at |22 and |23..

The operation of the system is as follows:

With the cables connected between the apparatus shown in Figures 2 and 'l to complete the circuit arrangement of Figure 1, and with the oscilloscopes and amplifie..` equipment energized, the tool is brought into engagement with the work 92- after the bridge circuits have been properly balanced by adjustment of control dials 40, 65 and 8| and of the bridge balancing strain gages through operation of the micrometer adjustment means 38, 63 and 19-to provide a predetermined zero deection on the oscilloscope screens.

As the tool engages the work, the radial, longitudinal and tangential loads are applied and correspondingly vary the balance of the three bridge circuits as describedin connection with Figure 1 whereupon a signal of corresponding amplitude will be passed through each bridge circuit from the generator and will be applied to the indicating or recording meansrepresented by the oscilloscopes. f.

As indicated in Figures 1 and v'1, the oscilloscope deiiecti'ons for the tangential, radial and longitudinal loads are represented .by the traces indicated at |25, |26 and .|21 respectively and the width of the traces in each instance are read with respect to the grid patterns on the oscilloscope faces which may be calibrated in pounds or tons as the case may be, so that each of the load components on the tool'may be read by an operator of the equipment.

In order to calibrate the grid pattern of the oscilloscope screen to measure the Width of the traces accurately in hundreds of pounds or tons and fractions thereof, the cutting tool 95 is separately preloaded in each of the three mutually perpendicular directions with a predetermined exact amount of pressure at the cutting edge, and the width of the trace for each load is observed. This is the calibration for the indicating means which may be extended by interpolation between two or more of such readings if desired.

In order that it may be repeated at will for one exact reading to correct the ampliiier drift or the gain of the circuit from time to time without the preloading operation being repeated, it has been found that a calibration resistor may be connected in each of the control circuits in shunt with one of the ratio arms and may be adjusted in value to give the same deilection of the indicating m'eans as the predetermined load actually applied to the tool in the original calibration. It is obvious that calibration resistors may best be connected in shunt with the bridge resistor-which is placed `in compression, that is, reduced in resistance, when load is applied to the tool in the direction affecting operation of that circuit so that the same resistance is set up in the bridge circuit by the introduction ofthe calibration resistor as is lcaused by the application of the predetermined loading.

A switch for this purpose is indicated at |30 in In the circuit shown, the movable contact |35 is connectedthrough one of the leads 32 to the lead 25 of the bridge circuit I1 and 'to the corresponding leads in each of the bridge circuits 60 and 16 whereby it is connected to one terminal of resistors |5, 55 and 51, all of which normally are placed in compression in operation.

Each of the contact points |32, |33 and |34 are connected through leads |38, |38 and |40 and calibration resistors |4|, |42 and |43 respectively which are in turn connected respectively with the other terminals of resistors |5, 55 and 51 through the bridge circuit. connection for each of said last named resistors.

With this arrangement it will be seen that the calibration resistor |4| may be connected in shuntv with the control resistor I5 when the switch |30 is closed to contact point |32 and that in a similar manner calibration resistor |42 may be connected in shunt with the control resistor 55 and the'calibration resistor'l43 -may be connected in shunt with the control resistor 51 when the switch is closed to contact points |33 and |34 respectively.

The resistance values of the resistors |4|, I 42 12 ilection, `the tool load in pounds at any instance may readily be determined by this means.

It should be noted that the width w may be as small as possible. The bridges are/carefully balanced before each operation. Continuous and simultaneous recording may then be accomplished by moving the nlm past the oscilloscope screens f in the vertical Adirection referred to at a predetermined speed. or at diierent'speeds as may be required to develop the full outline of each load variation desired. In the present system, the illm has given satisfactory records at rates of either 1" per minute or 3" per second if transient effects of material cutting are to be recorded.

Other forms of indicating and recording devices may be provided in connection with the system of the present 'invention as, for example, each of the bridges or any one of them may be balanced under no load conditions by adjustment of the balancing ratio arms, and the amount of adjustment required -to return the bridge to balance undera steady loadcondition may serve as a measure of the load. For example, referring to Figures 8 and 13, the micrometer adjustment rbya calibration dial |63 which carries a threaded and |43 are such that thea same output signal stud shank |64 mounting in a suitable sleeve |65 inthe panel H9 and arranged to engage and foperate the lever |2| in the same manner as in Figure 8 to control the balance vof the resistors 23 and 24.

The dial |63 may be rotated to control the ten# sion on the spring lever |2| and may be calibrated in pounds or tons as desired. Ineither case, the particular bridge or control circuit is balanced by adjusting the tension on the lever |2| until the output 0f the bridge circuit is substantially zero. This point on the dial |63 is taken as the zero point. The tool is then preloaded by a predetermined amount in pounds or tons andthe bridge is again balanced by adjustment of the dials. This point is marked with a'reading of the number of pounds to which the the load variation on the tool of Figure 2 and while other recording means may be provided,

this system is now preferred as a means for deriving a record oi.' each load variation with respect to the same time variations of time base. It is desirable to know the relative loading in the three mutually perpendicular directions at any instance so that the relative variations may be determined, and a similar arrangement has been provided for doing this which has given fairly satisfactory' results. 'Ihis is shown in Figures 9 andl 10 to which attention is now directed.

It will be seen that a camera is mounted in spaced relation to faces of the oscilloscopes 81, 12 and 5| and connected therewith through an enclosing structure |5| through which the traces v25, |26 and |21 are projected onto the camera nlm indicated at |52 and arranged to be moved vertically with projected traces at a constant speed. As the film moves under control of suitable constant motor means |53, the three traces |54, |55 and |56 are produced on the lm on their respective base lines |51, |58 and |53.

As can be seen on the traces shown, the three loads are recorded simultaneously whereby the instantaneous relative loading may be determined in any point. The width w of the no load base line deflection |60 must be subtracted from a total Width W of the trace' during a cut in order to obtain a deflection which is proportionable to the tool load at that time. By comparing this deflection with the width of the calibration detool is then preloaded for calibrationpurposes. vOther points of calibration on the dial may then be provided in the same manner and the entire dial may be calibrated fully by interpolation be tween the predetermined points. In this manner direct reading of the load for any study may be read on the dial with the bridge balanced.

The change of variation in tool loading in operation may be utilized not only for reading loads or recording the same with respect to time but it may be used to cause a change in the operation of the machine tool itself when the tool loading variation indicates, for example, an energizing condition.

As an example of this feature of the invention, it has been observed that the longitudinal load may increase abruptly upon the failure of the cutting edge of the tool and this increase in load may be utilized to actuate a relay for stopping the motive means which drives the machine tool or the feed mechanism of the tool.

A circuit arranged for this mode ofoperation in connection, for example. with the thrust panel and bridge circuit 16 of Figure 1 is shown in Figure 11 to which attention is nowdirected.

In Figure 11 the output of the bridge circuit through the illter 84 is utilized to trigger a Thyratron 2050 indicated at |61 in the output circuit |68 to.which is connected a tripping coil |69 of a suitable relay |10. The relay is connected in the power supplycircuit |1| of a driving motor |12 i'or the cross feed on the Imain spindle of the 13 machine. The actuating grid |13 of the Thyratron is connectedthrough a potentiometer |14 to the output circuit of the iilter 84, and this circuit is adjusted to cause the Thyratron to fire whenv the output voltage across the illter 84 exceeds a predetermined value corresponding to an excessive tool load, in this case the longitudinal tool load. l

Referring now to Figure 12, in a similar manner a vacuum tube volt meter circuit |18 having a calibrated milliammeter |19 may be connected with the output circuit of the lter 84, for exv ample, through a potentiometer connection |80 as shown and the milliammeter |19 may be calibrated to read in pounds or tons as may be desired to provide a direct reading indication of the tool load. In this case the potentiometer |80 is adjusted to cause the milliammeter |19 to assume full scale deflection in respect to the machine tool loads. The milliammeter may then be calibrated in the same manner as wherein above described by means of a definite preloading of the tool in the desired direction with a denite calibration pressure. i j

While the invention has been shown and described. in connection with the operation of a lathe, it may be applied to other machine tools gated work loaded member having a plurality' l' ed member, a bridge circuit including a pair of and uses for the vmeasurement of loads and load components in relation to each other and with respect to a common time axis, and for the automatic control of an operation of a machine in response to an overload or stress imparted to an operating element thereof.

I claim: l. A load measuring system for machine tools and the like, comprising in combination, an elongated work loaded member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced diaphragms, a support for said member adapted to selectively engage and clamp a predetermined number of said diaphragms at the peripheral edges thereof to impart a predetermined rigidity to the work loaded member and a thrust responsive impedance element mounted on said support and engaging said work loaded member whereby it is actuated in response to the flexure of said diaphragms.

2. A load measuring system for machine tools and the like, comprising in combination, an elongated work loaded member having .a plurality of longitudinally spaced diaphragms, a support for said member adapted to selectively engage and clamp a predetermined number of said diaphragms at the peripheral edges thereof to impart a predetermined rigidity to the work loaded member, a pair of serially connected variable impedance elements responsive to variations in mechanical stress mounted on said support and engaging said work loaded member to receive an inverse variation in stress in response to the work load applied to said member to flex said diaphragms whereby the impedances 'of said elements are inversely varied, a second pair of serially connected variable impedance elements connected with said first pair to provide a balanced electrical bridge circuit of which said iirst and second pairs of elements are the ratio and balancing arms respectively, means for inversely varying said second pair of impedance elements to eiect a balance in the bridge circuit, means for passing electrical energy through said bridge circuit, and calibrated means for measuring the electrical output of the bridge circuit as a measure of the loading applied to said member.

. 3. A load measuring system for machine tools and the like, comprising in combination, an elonret() serially connected variable impedance elements responsive to variations in mechanical stress mounted on said support and engaging said work loaded member to receive an inverse variation in stress in response to the Work load applied to said member in a predetermined direction whereby the impedances of said elements are inversely Y varied,A means for passing electrical energy through said bridge circuit, and calibrated means for measuring the electrical output of the bridge circuit as a measure of the loading applied to said member in response to inverse variation of the vimpedances of said impedance elements, said last named means comprising an oscilloscope providing a calibrated scale deflection proportional gitudinally spaced circular diaphragms thereon.

a rigid support having a recess for receiving said tool h older and clamping a plurality of said diaphragms at the peripheral edges thereof to sup-4 port the tool holder with a predetermined degree of rigidity, a pair of electrical strain gages secured to the body of the tool holder at substantially diametrically opposite points and in a plane normal to a tool load component to be measured, whereby said gages are tensioned and compressed inversely by variations in said load component, a flexible plate mechanically connected with the tool holder to flex variably in response to variations in a second tool load component producing longitudinal thrust on the tool holder, a second pair of electrical strain gages mounted on opposite sides of said plate whereby said gages are inversely tensioned and compressed by variations in said second load component, an electrical balanced bridge circuit for each of said pairs of strain gages in which said gages are connected as inversely variable ratio arms, whereby each of said bridge circuits is unbalanced proprtionally to said tool load component variations,

means for applying a low frequency alternating current to said bridge circuits in parallel simultaneously, means for deriving from each of said bridge circuits a portion of said current corresponding to the degree of unbalance thereof, and calibratedv electrical means for translating said derived currents into measurements for each of said load components.

5. In a machine tool for turning, boring and the like, the combination with a tool element, of a tool holder having an elongated cylindrical body port-ion and a plurality of integral longitudinally spaced circular diaphragms thereon, a rigid support having a recess for receiving said tool holder and clamping a plurality cf said diaphragms at the peripheral edges thereof to support the tool holder with a predetermined degree of rigidity,

a'pair of electrical strain gages secured to the accessi rically opposite points and in a.v plane normal to a tool load component to be measured. whereby said gages are tensioned and compressed inversely by variations in said load component, a

flexible plate mechanically connected with the tool holder to dex variably in response to variations in a second tool load component providing longitudinal thrust on the tool` holder, a second pair of electrical strain gages mounted on opDO- site sides of said plate whereby said gages are inversely tensioned and compressed by variations in said second load component, an electrical bal- Y anced bridge circuit for each of said pairs of f strain gages in which said gages are connected as inversely variable ratio arms, whereby each of said bridge circuits is unbalanced proportionvally to said tool load component variations. means for applying a low frequency alternating current to said brise circuits in paraueisimuuaneousiy, means for deriving from each of said bridge crcuits a portion of said current corresponding to the degree of unbalance thereof, and calibrated electrical means for translating said derived currents into load measurements for each of said load components, and means for recording said load measurements simultaneously with respect to a common time axis.

6. In a machine tool for turning, boring and the like, the combination with a tool element, oi

f a tool holder having an elongated cylindrical compressed inversely by variations in said load component, aiilexible plate mechanically :on-

nected with thetoo'l holder to flex variably in response to variations in a second tool load component providing longitudinal thrust on the tool holder. a second pair of electrical strain gages mounted on opposite sides of said plate whereby said gages are ,inversely tensioned and compressed by variations in said second vload component, an electrical balanced bridge circuit for each of said pairs of strain gages in which said ga'ges are connected as inversely variable ratio` arms, whereby each of said bridge circuits is unbalanced proportionally to said tool load component variations, means for applying a low frequency alternating current to said bridge circuits in parallel simultaneously, means for deriving from each oi' said bridge circuits a portion of said current corresponding to the degree of unbalance thereof, and calibrated electrical means for translating said derived currents into load measurements for each of said load components,

;and electrical means responsive to a predetermined magnitude of derived current from one of said bridge circuits for changing a condition of operation of the tool element.

7. In a machine tool for turning, boring and the like, the combination with atool element, of

a tool holder having an elongated cylindrical body portion and a plurality of integral longitudinally spaced circular diaphragms thereon, a rigid support having a recess for receivingV said tool holder and clamping a plurality of said diaphragms at the peripheral edges thereof to support the tool holder with a predetermined degrec of rigidity, a pair of electricalstrain gages secured to the .body of the tool holder at suba stantiallyV diametrically opposite points and in a 5 plane normal to'a tool load component to be lmeasuredI whereby said gages are tensioned and compressed inversely by variations in said load component, a ilexible plate mechanically connected with the tool holder to flex variably in response to variations in a second tool load ccmponent providing longitudinal thrust on the tool holder, a 'second pair of electrical strain gages mounted on opposite sides of said plate whereby said gages are inversely tensioned and com by variations in said second'load component, an electrical balanced bridge circuit for each of said pairs of strain gages in which said gages are connected as inversely variable ratio arms, whereby each of said bridge circuits is unbalanced proportionally to said tool load vcomponent variations. means for applying a low frequency alternating current to said bridge circuits in parallel simultaneously, means for deriving from each of said bridge circuits a portion .of said current 25 corresponding to the degree of unbalance thereof, and calibrated electrical means for translating said derived currents into load measurements for each of said load components, and calibrating means including an impedance element selectively connectable into said bridge circuits to produce an unbalance corresponding to a known tool load.

8. In a machine tool for turning, boring and the like, the combination with a tool element, of a tool holder havingan elongated cylindrical body portion and a plurality`ofintegral longitudinally spaced circular diaphragms thereon, a rigid support having a recess for receiving said tool holderand clamping a plurality of said diam. phragms at the peripheral edges thereof to sup port the tool holder with a predetermined degree of rigidity, a pair ofl electrical strain gages secured to Lhe body of ythe tool holder at substantially diametrically opposite points'and in a plane normalfto a tool load component to be measured, whereby said gages are tensioned and compremed inversely by variations in said load component, a flexible plate mechanically connected with the tool holder to flex variably in response to varia- '50 tions in a second tool load component providing longitudinal thrust on the fool holder, a second pair of electrical strain gages mounted on opposite sides of said plate whereby said Vgages are inversely tensioned and compressed by variations 55 in said second load component, an electrical balanced bridge circuit for each of said pairs of strain gages in which said gages are connected as inversely variable ratio arms, whereby Veach of said bridge circuits is unbalanced proportions0 ally to said tool load component variations, means for applying a low frequency alternating current to saidbridge circuitsin parallel simultaneously,

means for deriving from each of said bridge circuits a portion of said current corresponding to 05 the degree of unbalance thereof, and calibrated electrical means for translating said derived currents into load measurements for each of said load 17 body portion, a plurality of integral longitudinally spaced diaphragms on said body portion, the planes of said diaphragms being substantially perpendicular to the axis of said body portion,

a rigid supporting member having a recess for 5 receiving said tool holder and means for clamping a selected number of said diaphragms at the peripheral edges thereof vwithin said recess t0 support said tool holder with a predetermined degree of rigidity.

FRANK R. ELDRIDGE. Jn.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name t Date 1,637,676 Bohuszewicz Aug. 2, 1927 2,228,902 Allen Jan. 14, 1941 2,321,322 Ruge June 8, 1943 2,329,541 Kuehni Sept. 14, 1943 2,393,669 Wheaton et al. Jan. 39, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 532,045 Germany Bent. 23. 1932 l' 1n Electronics, July 1945, ,ma 114-122. 

